Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has directed that a protest by truckers which has paralysed the capital Ottawa “has to stop”.
Trudeau said Canadians were “shocked and frankly disgusted” by some protesters’ behaviour, which has reportedly included vandalism and racial abuse.
In the past, truck drivers have been rallying against Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine rules.
Their vehicles have gridlocked Ottawa and a state of emergency has been declared in the city.
For nearly two weeks, hundreds of lorries have brought the city centre to a standstill, forcing many local businesses to close.
Resident’s nerves were also being frayed by constantly blaring air horns. On Monday, however, they had a small victory when an Ottawa judge ruled that the truckers must stop honking their horns for 10 days.
While most of the protest has been peaceful, Ottawa police have said they are concerned about the extremist rhetoric coming from far-right groups at the rally, as well as reported racial and homophobic abuse, Nazi symbols being displayed and protesters danced on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial.
Ottawa police have said they are investigating over 60 incidents, including alleged hate crimes and property damage.
“I want to be very clear – we are not intimidated by those who hurl insults and abuse at small business workers and steal food from the homeless,” Mr Trudeau told MPs at an emergency debate in Canada’s House of Commons Monday.
“We won’t give in to those who fly racist flags, we won’t cave to those who engage in vandalism or dishonour the memory of our veterans” Trudeau maintained.
BBC